Crystal meth addiction prevents resident from following probation orders

An addiction to crystal meth prevented Dustin Ray Taitinger from obeying the instructions of his probation order, including adhering to a curfew and reporting to a court officer.

Taitinger’s inability to follow those instructions eventually led to his appearance in Moose Jaw provincial court on Sept. 4, where he pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching probation and one charge of possessing an illegal substance.

The Crown stayed two other charges of breach of probation.

As a result, Taitinger was fined $350 for the possession charge, $50 for one breach of probation offence, and a total of $200 for the two other probation breach offences. Taitinger, 27, was released on a probation order on Jan. 31 with instructions to report to his probation officer. He met with the officer several times up until May, but failed to meet for a second meeting that month, explained provincial Crown prosecutor Stephen Yusuff.

The Moose Jaw man called in on May 31 and was told to provide an updated address to police. He was also told to report for an appointment on July 8 but failed to show. A day later, his probation officer called police to inform them Taitinger had not shown up.

Another instruction Taitinger had been given was to live in an approved residence, Yusuff continued. Police conducted a curfew check on May 29 but found Taitinger was not home. Someone at the residence informed police he did not live there anymore. The probation officer later confirmed he had not been given approval to change his address.

Taitinger was also told to obey a curfew from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., but failed to follow that command as well, said federal Crown prosecutor Suzanne Young. Police saw Taitinger on a street in Moose Jaw at 2:30 a.m. on May 13. They arrested him and a search revealed he had two small baggies of crystal meth that weighed one gram. “From the federal Crown’s perspective, we would ask for a significant fine,” she added.

Taitinger’s addiction to crystal meth was the main cause for his problems, explained legal aid lawyer Suzanne Jeanson. However, he is now back on track with his reporting, while he sees an addictions counsellor every week.

Taitinger remains on his probation order and under his conditions until April 2020, she continued. She thought the fines were appropriate since they allowed him to keep his focus on his treatment.

The man has no job but is meeting with social assistance soon, Jeanson added. She thought eight months was sufficient for Taitinger to either pay or work off his fines. “Given the circumstances of the offence and personal circumstances of Mr. Taitinger, I will impose the fines that have been jointly suggested by both counsels,” said Judge Brian Hendrickson, adding he would give Taitinger eight months to pay.